Books in the Kickers series

Introducing a soccer series for new readersKickers #1Nine-year-old Ben is brand-new to soccer, but he''s a good athlete and knows he''ll do well on the Bobcats, his team in the local Kickers soccer league. If he can only work around his obnoxious teammate Mark, the ball hog, Ben is sure he''ll score his first goal. But Coach Patty, and Ben''s own teammates, show him a little something about teamwork. And suddenly it dawns on him: he''s a ball hog, too. Can he change his ways before the Bobcats lose their shot at the Kickers play-offs?Award-winning sports novelist Rich Wallace introduces the Kickers soccer series, filled with lively black-and-white art and fast-paced, on-the-field action.

Filled with on-the-field soccer scenes, black-and-white artwork, and sports statistics throughout, this short novel-ideal for newly independent readers, athletes, and all sports fans-follows nine-year-old Ben and his fourth-grade team, the Bobcats, as they race to the Kickers League playoffs. Ben knows he's one of the team's strongest players, but he's been struggling with the jitters. He's just freezing up on the field. Can he pull through for his teammates now that they really need him?